Finer Feelings on London

So this is where I tell you that studying abroad has changed my life and it was the greatest experience ever. This is where I tell you that studying abroad has made me a new person, more mature, cultured and open minded to the world. This is where I tell you that I had the most amazing time ever and I can’t imagine having to go back to America. This is where I tell you that I have been to the most amazing places and that I have made the best friends a person could have. Of course right? Well let me start with an emphatic no and then let me finish with a bittersweet and resounding yes.

Looking back at all of it, what did I get out of this experience? Then I realized that that is a trivial question. Someone might ask me “What did studying abroad mean to you?” It’s a hackneyed interrogation, another practice essay question for a college application. I don’t really have an answer to that and to try to quip back with one, it just wouldn’t be true.

Wait…this is starting to sound negative. So let me change that. While there is so much I miss about being “home,” the decision to study abroad in London was one of the best decisions of my life. A few weeks in summer wouldn’t be enough. It is something that I recommend to everyone. If you are unsure about it, that means you should. And a semester is the perfect amount of time. A year is too long; I love Dickinson too much. But no matter what, everyone must get away from Carlisle for a time. Studying abroad has just made me that much more excited to come back to Dickinson for my senior year.

Regrets are a nasty thing and I unfortunately have too many of them. But thank god that I came to London for a semester. And yes there are far too many things I didn’t do but who cares? That’s not important. So maybe I didn’t make it to all the amazing places that London offers, I had some of best and most unique months of my life. And the friends that I made, the people I met was ultimately the best part of studying abroad. I miss you all!

So where do I begin…or rather where do I end? Without sounding too sentimental here is my abbreviated rundown.

I went to Glasgow to play in the Indoor Nationals Tournament with Dickinson buddy Matt Hartwig and his university St. Andrews. Met some great people and made quite the impression. Note: Don’t play Kings with just a bottle of liquor. I moved to Paris, shot some heroin and fucked with the stars. Ok so I didn’t move there but I visited the City of Light, watched seasons 1 through 5 of the Wire (again) and listened to a lot of MGMT. I saw three great concerts in a city that offers millions. Got grizzly on Dixie Chicken and Lamb Doner enough times to feed all of East London. Played in a beer pong tournament in Rome then wandered around in some random park in the pouring rain only to return to our hostel where a mysterious bakery sometimes existed. I played in a Frisbee tournament with only 6 people and won more games than lost.

I smashed glasses while listening to live cover bands in American filled bars. I turned 21, created a beer pong tournament then proceeded to lose in the first round to the last place team. I barely went to my Tuesday morning lecture because my school sponsored alcoholism every Monday night. I played Frisbee on the beaches of Rimini, Italy while partaking in the occasional Jagerbomb. Went to the ummm Beer Festival in Munich…climbed to Neuschwanstein in the rain. I ran up a down escalator only to puke and return to the New Globe. I ate Lamb Doner…..again. I went to Amsterdam on 420. Was stranded by a Volcano and got pick pocketed in Prague. I returned to Germany to brush up on my Nazi history in Berlin while averaging 3 Lamb Doner’s a day.

I returned to the net as a goalie for my uni soccer team. Went to Chipotle 4 times in its brand new international location in the heart of London. Saw Churchill’s War room and the Abbey all atop an eye. Windsor and the Tower while crusing down the Thames. Ate too many Brick Lane bagels and not enough lunch specials at the BBQ Base. Swore off Dixie then pledged my allegiance the following day. Day drinking and night bowling. I consumed whole animals and stole gigantic mugs. I got my mix tour on and slept in a tent without a sleeping bag. There was Knipp and Schnitzel. I saw Brazil v. Ireland at the Emirates. I ate the occasional bangers and mash and if I was lucky enough, the full English breakfast. I went to class (sometimes.) I went to a club that had shots for under 1 pound. I got lost in Cockfosters at 3:30am. I still haven’t lost a best of 7 and the Dream Team left London with a ridiculously high winning percentage.


And of course: the shout outs!

To flat 46: I know some of you may hate me and yes I am partly responsible for making the kitchen inhabitable, but we were by far the coolest kids and had the most ridiculous nights in that place.

The original bro: Pauly D aka Paul Wall. Hotel roommate and seeker of Dixie. Still remember coming home from Germany and spotting you in Dixie sober. Why cant we all be so lucky

The Bryant Duo: Lieutenant Dengel and Chill 5. Two true legends from the RI. Always down for anything. Too much to say, but lets keep this PG. Pretty much amazing!!

Low Cost: How much money did I fucking spend there

He is not from Arcadia: Marky Mark Avery Battles. Not only found the BBQ Base but soccer allstar and potential Frisbee stud, (You should of came.) Still remember that night where we went to Dixie and played a best of 7. Bad news bears

J Weez Jibbles J Sauce: Original Hotel Bro and classmate in the greatest module ever: Age of James I. While the wall climbing might of sucked, the golden fryer was always a good time. One of the few to understand the Doner culture.

Adam “the Rager” Rogers: Two legendary trips to Rome and Prague. Still unhappy that you did not partake in the Grizzly Challenge. You too Paul! The original Kid Cudi legend.

Brian Bri Guy McGoo BK Anderson: Had some of the best nicknames ever and I have not met a bigger Twins fan in my life. Unfortunately they still suck. Legend of the Underground London Baseball league. Also a big fan of the Base.

Nick Kipley: Actually the biggest legend in London. Everyone would agree. Also opened the doors in the flat which was awesome.

Daniel “Schlieffen plan” Schuf: Shared the same love I had with Von Hodenburg. Also down for anything…. especially getting drunk off cider. Went to the Ted Show and played on Bloody Mary, even if you didn’t make it on the second day. Too much sushi and amber jack

Golden Fryer: I will return

To all the American girls: I think some of our best memories might of came at Drapers…..and I mean might. Some of the highlights include two legendary games of twister in flat 46. Lauren’s birthday which was a ridiculous night. My birthday which I don’t think was as ridiculous but Jennie and I did lose in the first round of my tournament. Also big ups to Jennie for competing and finishing in the Grizzly Challenge. Hillary for putting up with me in Rome. (Where is my movie?) Robin and Tasha always playing horrible music in Robin’s room. (Not enough Ke$ha!) Paige and Blair’s flat was always a good time (especially when there are weird 19 year old London bros trying to hit on Blair.) My arch nemesis Jill in pong. I still cant believe we never played on the same team. Would have been domination. The legend of Paris herself: Liza! Honorary flat mate Kristen, (I’m sorry if I had to pay that book fine but the QM library is lying. They suck!

Then the British Bros: Cant say enough great things about Ash, Mike, Sam and Jack. Some of the funniest people I have ever met. True legends of the Uni life and I wish you would all come and study abroad at Dickinson College in America. You would tear this place up. I expect your pong game to surpass me by the next time I see you. Don’t let Dixie get the best of you.

And of course the Dream Team. I don’t know what I would of done in London without you. Best flatmates ever (Yes Libby you kinda lived in 46.) You honestly have no idea how much I want to visit you guys in Chicago but there will be a next time. I just wish it were sooner. Miss you guys so much. The taste of chocolate and cheese toasties still lingers sweet in my mouth. The taste of cider and that awful grape juice has me cringing months after I finally didn’t have to drink it anymore.


London City we love you, that's who made it for!!!! I will be back.